Pages

Monday, June 8, 2015

Disney Store Grand Re-Opening in Allentown, PA

Hello Friends!

It's been awhile since I've written anything for Themagical. Personally my work has me been busy in the last month which made me not have enough time to write or show you more information about the 'upcoming new simulation' that's in the works!

Editorial Correction 6/10/15: Several pictures on the site were used by Valerie N. Moran that wasn't properly mentioned the usage of her photos. Pictures used with permission. Thanks Valerie for the photos!

:: Disney Store in Allentown, Pennsylvania Re-Opens! ::

Where I live there's a Disney Store in Allentown, PA located at the Lehigh Valley Mall that got 're-imagined' face lift along with extra pixie magic dust too!

Image: New Look of Store Entrance at Lehigh Valley Mall in Allentown, PA

The Disney Store at the Lehigh Valley Mall original theme was a reflection of 'movie-making' with movie camera cranes, film strips of screenshots of classic movies, animated draw art of Disney characters and other small details of silly antics. If you looked very closely, there were also 'hidden mickey's' icons throughout the store.

Back in February 16, 2015, a signage (shown below) at the front of the store showed to guests visiting the store that the Disney Store location was closing for a 'magical transformation'. It took 3 months to change the original store layout to the new 'refreshed' look.

Announced by 'The Walt Disney Company' in 2009, a nationwide stores transformation with a new color theme, interactive elements, new art decor, and so much more! The New York City version in Times Square was 're-imagined' 4 years ago, as the Lehigh Valley Mall counter part store is a smaller version of that store.

Here's myself standing in front of the store's logo during a 'soft preview' store opening a week before the grand re-opening on June 6, 2015 (shown below).

On June 6, 2015, you can count your 'hidden mickey's' that it was packed in the early morning at the Lehigh Valley Mall. Approximately 1,000 people showed up for the opening and the excitement was contagious!!

Disney Cast Members were greeting at the mall's top floor entrance and asking guests if they are here for to see the opening. Once acknowledge by a cast member, we were directed to the forming line to see the store.

There were several hundred people when we got in line by 9:30AM and it was building up quickly as the time got closer to the reveal at 10AM. During the wait, Disney Cast Members were interacting with guests and also handing out mickey ears hat to the first 500 people.

At 10am, Dani a Disney Cast Member welcomed all guests to the opening ceremony of the Disney Store. Guests waiting in line cheered and applauded when she asked 'If we were ready for the grand re-opening of the Disney Store?' The store general manager Lisa came out and greeted everyone.

Lisa also welcomed a pre-picked guest to open the store with the golden 'Mickey Key' to unlock the door entrance. She was excited to announce 'Mickey and Minnie Mouse' to help along with the opening of the store.

Image: Mickey and Minnie Mouse waving at guests to help open the store.

Dani took over the microphone and asked everybody to count down from 5 to open the store! The place went wild and everybody cheered! Here's the video that I took from my iPhone 6 of the opening ceremony (shown below)!!

Departing from the 'movie making theme' from this store original layout, we are now taking a new journey to follow the pixie dust blue walkway through an immerse interactive shopping experience with your imagination leading the way!

You are first greeted with a glittering blue walkway at the front entrance. On to the right side, you see a 'Disney' style castle with a mannequin princess atop.

On the left side, you are encountered with Star Wars merchandise. The Disney Store imagineers creators took the time to even add Pennsylvania icons tributes along the top banner of the store that's unique to the surrounding area.

Along your journey through the immersive store, trees are planted along the path to greet you. At first glance you see tree leaves glowing with colorful lighting, but if you look closely you can see some of your favorite Disney characters hiding among the leaves.

From the closure of the store to the revealing of the new store, the Disney cast members were hard at work to make sure the magic was shown to all ages who visited the store.

On June 6, 2015, Disney Cast Members from near by locations helped out to help control the lines and crowd. They interacted with younger guests and older ones too! They smiled and greeted each one who entered the LONG and VERY crowded lines in the mall to see the new store and as well to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

I'm happy to gotten to know these wonderful people who 'create magic' everyday when visiting their store. It's the contagious 'magic' they share make a small shopping trip a memorable one.

Image: Disney Cherry Hill, New Jersey Cast Members Posing With Mickey And Minnie

Those who braved the long waited line Felicia Beam was one of many guests who came to see the new store opening and as well see Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Felicia was waiting in line but as the time got late, she had to leave the line..."My daughter's dance recital is tonight so my mom apologized to my brother for not being able to wait. Told him he'll see mickey in November. The cast member with mickey saw my mom leave the line and walk away. She ran to them and put my brother in the front of the line to see his best friend. He's so very happy now and so is my mom. So to the CM out there at Lehigh Valley Mall, thanks for making their day!"

I'm very happy and honored to be part of the opening ceremony at my local Disney Store. The Disney Cast Members did a amazing job keeping the 'magic' flowing that day and as well keeping the crowds happy.

2 comments:

"Reighard, I just seen your post.!!! I was the castmember who spread pixie dust to Felicia's brother, and would love to send a little more his way, could you please have Felicia send me an email of name and address, of where to send the special momentum. My name is Mare and I am the ambassador who represents store #959.My email is marieera@aol.com" - Marie Tink